2009 spring edition

V O L U M E V I S S U E I I D B S A S o u t h e r n N e v a d a S P R I N G E D I T I O N WH
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first week. It turns out the Zoloft security, and attacked sev- INSIDE THIS ISSUE
For eight hours, I sat beside my 12 year olds body, holding her hand, listening to not tell me if she’d see daylight. The with schizophrenia, the rest of the girls were hard core, and I’m afraid my little a local private psychiatric hospital that girl got quite the street-wise education. needed. I would have had the support for situations. She was finally placed in De- myself, so that I would not have reached she will spend eight months in this state the tools—education, the materials, the week in the psychiatric facility—again, people, and the contacts—to help my lit- It’s been a long, depressing disaster that vember for having a knife at school (she has taken its toll on all of us. My parents it’s achieved a higher level of happiness “forgot” it was in her purse, lost the purse and they found it looking for ID— more sad, was that she had crept into the hospitalization occurred. I can hear the room and see other’s nodding their head they wonder if this call will bring good words out, is a grateful and bonding feel- but also my ability to assist my daughter ing I just can’t explain. I’ve felt the loneliness, the fear, the helplessness; I’ve cried alone, shouldered the burden alone. ing until late Jan to resolve—the whole bipolar disorder. The interpersonal rela- ing, and strained by the emotional roller coaster ride as they go from manic event Then they put her in a detention school. action from January to May is in calcula- tionally, although scholastically she ex- ble—I will never know if, had they taken sues, court hearings, answering the phones 24 hours a day. They are there to My hope for my daughter is she finds the placement in a residential treatment cen- ter specifying that). However, the state facility she did qualify for was full. As her first child. This article was written in the group before this time, I would have MONDAY EVENING
WEDSDAY EVENING
THURSDAY EVENING
ADOLESCENT DIAGNOSED
DUAL DIAGNOSED
ADULT DIAGNOSED
Ages 13-17
Addiction and Mood Disorder
(18 & OVER)
6:30 PM TO 8:00 PM
6:00 PM TO 7:30 PM
6:00 PM TO 7:30 PM
Rawson-Neal Psychiatric
Rawson-Neal Psychiatric
Hospital
Hospital
Rawson-Neal Psychiatric
Hospital
1650 Community College
1650 Community College
1650 Community College Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89146
Las Vegas, NV 89146
Las Vegas, NV 89146
Training Room 1
Training Room 1
Training Room 1
MONDAY EVENING
WEDSDAY EVENING
THURSDAY EVENING
PARENTS OF DIAGNOSED
PARENTS, FAMILY &
ADOLESCENTS
FRIENDS Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder
6:30 PM TO 8:00 PM
6:00 PM TO 7:30 PM
6:00 PM TO 7:30 PM
Rawson-Neal Psychiatric
Rawson-Neal Psychiatric
Rawson-Neal Psychiatric
Hospital
Hospital
Hospital
1650 Community College
1650 Community College
1650 Community College
Las Vegas, NV 89146
Las Vegas, NV 89146
Las Vegas, NV 89146
Training Room 2
Training Room 2
Training Room 2
CONSUMERS CORNER
The Road To Recovery
By Arnold Wax MD
When I arrived at the facility in Houston, I Now, I have found my own place to live was met by and interviewed by a resident rather than bore everyone with that much versity. We talked for well over an hour detail, I will tell my path from last year to about what I hoped to gain for the future. I It works for me and I tolerate it well. I then was taken to the unit I was to be on. It was known as the PIC (Professionals in even giving it a second thought. You see tempt. The attempt had been planned over signed a primary nurse and a mental health they work for me when I work on them. a 6 week period of time and it was times so coordinator and a “buddy” to show me around the unit and the facility. He was weeks at this facility where I had an indi- story. She didn’t even bat an eye. Her fail and that I would die. I had no fear of vidual therapist, two psychiatrists (an at- comment was “you seem healthy to me.” dying, only the fear of living. The reason tending and the resident) and a “primary So you see, there is a road to recovery. factors, a broken marriage, at my doing, a Everyone is capable of recovery, it is a broken subsequent relationship, a failing personal choice. It’s not a cure just like practice and mounting debts with no fore- seeable way of satisfying the depts. I was so horribly depressed, in despair, lonely siliency, positive psychology, cognitive support systems ( and I gave a great one and alone as well as isolated that I felt I behavioral therapy and dialectic behavioral stretching from California to England) therapy as well s family therapy and voca- only time I didn’t face these problems was tional therapy groups. This was the step- my chagrin I didn’t die, at least not then. After 9 weeks at the facility I was ready to that. go home. Prior to leaving I completed, as The next morning, my daughter called and required, a rather intensive wellness plan invited me over for dinner, but I said I describing my short and long term future goals. I arranged to see a psychiatrist, a She called again later as did her sister and psychotherapist and my regular physician heads up our facilitator training program. and dentist for follow-up. You see part of had taken. I told them to leave me alone, recovery from a mental illness is to keep ones self well physically. I also arranged lance, came to my home, broke in the back to see a physician to after my thyroid gland our readers, and wish him continued suc-door and over my protests I was taken a something for which I ultimately had sur- hospital. I spent a month in the hospital as gery. I suffered a perforated ulcer and had to Lastly, I found support groups sponsored piratory failure due to pneumonia. I could by DBSA Southern Nevada and NAMI have and probably should have died those DID YOU KNOW?
DBSA Southern Nevada sponsors a
free monthly community lecture
Once I got out of the acute care hospital, I tinued on a steady pace. I go to support series? Check out our website for
was put on a mandatory legal 2000 hold as group meetings weekly, therapies and I scheduled dates, time, location and
required by law due to my suicide attempt. take care of myself. I am now back at name of presenter.
work and although it is part time I continue www.dbsa-southernevada.org
during this time my daughter had found a to look to increase my work hours as I am and ultimately did. She arranged for me to pies have been decreased by half. I have have a bed there and I left Las Vegas for not had any crises although there have been some difficult times both at work and PARENT’S OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS CORNER PSYCHIATRIC MEDICA-
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT
TION FOR CHILDREN AND
DRUG ABUSE STATISTICS
ADOLESCENTS: WHAT TO
ASK YOUR DOCTORS
as part of their chil’s treatment plan. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RISK TAKING BEHAVIOR
increases the likelihood of injury or death. DID YOU KNOW ?
ual abuse and rape.
• Verbal abuse, threats, and tem-
per outbursts by children diag-
Nevada is second in the national
• Neighborhood Care Centers in
nosed have been reported by
for adolescent suicides?
Las Vegas treat Severally Emo-
more than 50% of relatives?
tionally Disturbed children with-
out insurance?
• Adolescents with a Mood Disor-
• A sign of suicidal ideology is giv-
der are more vulnerable to bul-
ing away personal belongings?
lying incidents?
• Adolescents with a Mood Disor-
der have serious problems hav-
• Adolescents with a Mood Disor-
ing healthy personal relation-
• Adolescents with a Mood Disor-
der tend to take more risks than
ships and feel very isolated and
der are more vulnerable to sex-
those not diagnosed?
YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR
YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR
TEEN DEPRESSION
SURVEILLANCE (CDC)
SURVEILLANCE (CDC)
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
UNITED STATES, 2007
NEVADA 2007
TIPS FOR PARENTS
Sadness and Suicide Ideation
Sadness and Suicide Ideation
Symptoms
and Attempts
and Attempts
Teenagers face a host of pres-
Felt Sad or Hopeless
Felt Sad or Hopeless
sures, from the changes of pu-
berty to questions about who they
are and where they fit in. The
During the 12 months preceding
♦ During the 12 months preceding
natural transition from child to
the survey, 28.5% of students na-
the survey, 26.1% of Nevada high
adult can also bring parental con-
tionwide had felt so sad or hopeless
school students had felt so sad or
flict as teens start to assert their
almost every day for more than 2
hopeless almost every day for
independence. With all this
weeks in a row that they stopped
more than 2 weeks in a row that
drama, it isn’t always easy to dif-
doing some usual activities. Over-
they stopped doing some usual ac-
ferentiate between depression and
all, the prevalence of having felt sad
tivities.
normal teenage moodiness. Mak-
or hopeless almost every day for
ing things even more complicated,
more than 2 weeks was higher
teens with depression do not nec-
among female (35.8% than male
Seriously Considered Attempt-
essarily appear sad, nor do they
(21.2^%) students.
ing Suicide
always withdraw from others.
For some depressed teens, symp-
Seriously Considered Attempting
♦ During the 12 months preceding
toms of irritability, aggression,
the survey, 14.3% of Nevada high
and rage are more prominent.
school students had seriously con-
During the 12 months preceding
sidered attempting suicide.
the survey, 14.5% of students has
Sadness or hopelessness
considered attempting suicide.
Irritability, anger, or hostility
Overall, the prevalence of having
Made A Suicide Plan
Tearfulness or frequent cry-
considered attempting suicide was
higher among female (18.7%) than
♦ During the 12 months preceding
Withdrawal from friends and
male (10.3&).
the survey, 14.2% of Nevada high
school students had made a spe-
Isolating in room
Made a Suicide Plan
cific plan to attempt suicide.
Loss of interest in activities
Changes in eating and sleep-
ing habits
During the 12 months preceding
Restlessness and agitation
the survey, 11.3% of students na-
Attempted Suicide
tionwide had made a specific plan
Feelings of worthlessness and
to attempt suicide. Overall, the
Statewide, 8.9% of Nevada high
prevalence of having made a spe-
Lack of enthusiasm and moti-
school students had actually at-
cific suicide plan was higher among
tempted suicide one or more times
female (13.4% than male (9.2%).
Fatigue or lack of energy
during the 12 months preceding
the survey.
Difficulty concentrating
Attempted Suicide
Thoughts of death or suicide
♦ Nevada ranks second in the nation
Risk taking more than usual
Problems in school.
Nationwide, 6.9% of students had
with the most completed suicides
by adolescents.
Listening to sad or music
actually attempted suicide one or
about death
more times during the 12 months
Frequents web sites that talk
preceding the survey. Overall, the
about death
prevalence of having attempted sui-
Information provided by the Nevada
Unexplained aches and pains
cide was higher among female
Office of Suicide Prevention.
(9.3%) than male (4.6%) students.
Extreme sensitivity to criti-
cism
TEEN DEPRESSION
TIPS FOR PARENTS
SUPPORTING A TEEN
SIGNS –CONTINUED
THROUGH TREATMENT
FROM PAGE –6-
Tips For Talking To A
As your depressed teenager in your life
goes through treatment, the most im-
Depressed Teen:
SIGNS CONTINUED
portant thing you can do is to let him/
her know that you’re there to listen and
♦ Offer Support—Let them know that offer support. Now more than ever,
Talking or joking about
you’re there for them, fully and un-
your teenager needs to know that he/
committing suicide
conditionally.
she is valued, accepted, cared for and
Withdrawing from some, but
♦ Be gentle but persistent Don’t
loved unconditionally.
not all people.
give up talking to your teen if he/she
Saying things like, “I’d be
shuts you out at first. Be respectful
SUPPORTING YOURSELF
better off dead,” “I wish I
of your child’s comfort level while
could disappear forever,” or
THROUGH TREATMENT
still emphasizing your concern and
“There’s no way out.”
willingness to listen.
Speaking positively about
♦ TAKE CARE OF SELF - In
♦ Listen without lecturing Resist
death or romanticizing dying
order to help your teen, don’t
any urge to criticize or pass judg-
(“If I died, people might love
ignore your own needs. Eat
ment once your teenager begins to
me more”).
right, get enough sleep
talk. The important thing is that
Writing stories and poems
personal time.
your child is communicating. Avoid
about death, dying, or sui-
♦ REACH OUT FOR SUPPORT
offering unsolicited advice or ulti-
Get the emotional support you
matums as well.
Engaging in reckless behav-
need. Reach out to friends, join a
♦ Validate Feelings Don’t try to
ior or having a lot of acci-
support group, or see a therapist of
talk teens out of their depression,
dents resulting in injury, or
your own. It’s okay to feel over-
even if their feelings or concerns ap-
an increase in speeding tick-
whelmed, frustrated, helpless, or
pear silly or irrational to you. Sim-
ets or driving infractions.
angry. The important thing is to
ply acknowledge the pain and sad-
Giving away prized posses-
talk about how your teen’s depres-
ness they are feeling. If you don’t,
sion is affecting you, rather than
they will feel like you don’t take
Saying goodbye to friends
bottling up your emotions.
their emotions seriously.
and family as if for good
BE OPEN WITH FAMILYAND
Seeking out weapons, pills,
FRIENDS Don’t tiptoe around the
or other ways to kill them-
issue of teen depression in an at-
WHAT PARENTS NEED TO
tempt to “protect” other family
members. Be open about what is
Seek Help Immediately if you
going on and invite your children,
think your adolescent might be
family members and friends to ask
• VISIT YOUR FAMILY DR.
considering suicide.
questions and share their feelings.
Make an immediate appointment
REMBER THE SIBLINGS De-
for your teen to see the family physi-
pression in one child can cause
National Suicide Hotline
cian for a depression screening.
stress or anxiety in siblings. Make
1-800-784-2433
SEEK OUT A SPECIALIST
sure “healthy” children are not ig-
If there are no health problems that
nored, they too might need individ-
are causing your teenager’s depres-
Untreated Depression can
ual counseling to deal with their
sion, ask your doctor to refer you to
feelings.
a psychologist or psychiatrist who
♦ AVOID THE BLAME GAME It
specializes in children and adoles-
can be easy to blame yourself or
Problems at school
another family member for your
Running Away
• EXPLORE TREATMENT
teen’s depression, but that only
♦ Substance abuse
OPTIONS. Discuss with the spe-
adds to an already stressful situa-
♦ Low self-esteem
cialist about treatment possibilities.
tion. Depression is caused by a
♦ Eating disorders
There are a number of treatment
number of factors, so it is unlikely,
♦ Internet addiction
options, including medication, one-
except in the case of abuse, neglect
♦ Self-injury
on-one talk therapy, group or family
or other trauma that any loved one
♦ Reckless behavior
therapy and the possibility of a
is “responsible”.
♦ Violence
short term hospitalization program.
♦ Suicide
• Research shows that early identification and intervention can minimize the long term disability of mental disorders. • Mental disorders in children and ado- lescents are real and can be effectively Disclosure
Restrictions
• Early identification and treatment pre- vents the loss of critical developmental • Early and effective mental health treat- DID YOU KNOW ?
• diagnosed have been reported
Neighborhood Care Centers in Las Ve-
by more than 50% of rela-
Nevada is second in the national
gas treat Severally Emotionally Dis-
turbed children without insurance?
for adolescent suicides?
A sign of suicidal ideology is
Adolescents with a Mood Disorder have
Adolescents with a Mood Disor-
giving away personal belong-
serious problems having healthy per-
der are more vulnerable to bul-
sonal relationships and feel very isolated
lying incidents?
and alone.
• Adolescents with a Mood Dis-
Adolescents with a Mood Disor-
• Verbal abuse, threats, and temper out-
der are more vulnerable to sex-
order tend to take more risks
bursts by children diagnosed have been
ual abuse and rape.
than those not diagnosed?
UNDERSTANDING AND NAVIGATING THE HIPPAA PRIVACY RULE Disclosure
a personal rep if the person with mental illness objects to the disclosure and the An individual has the right to review and disclosure is permitted but not required entities must provide PHI to the individ- get regarding their relative’s diagnosis, ual who is the subject of the medical re- Restrictions
lines some creative legal ways to get needed information. There are a few exceptions to this rule. Minor’s Parent/Guardian Disclosure
An individual does not have the right to What does HIPAA stand for ?
In, most situations, parents/guardians are access medical records on behalf of their children. Even in situations where a par- individual access to their own records if minor child’s treatment due to an emer- gency, a health care provider is able to in which individually identifiable health Also, some state laws limit the rights of mentally ill individuals to act on their Restrictions
In several situations, parents/guardians Disclosure to a Personal Representa-
closure of PHI by “covered entities.” It state law does not require the consent of the parent/guardian before the minor can the parent/guardian agrees to a confiden- person with a mental illness. Health care providers are required to treat personal treating health care provider. In all these representatives the same as they treat the situations, the parent/guardian does not Covered Entities Include:
patient. This means, that personal repre- control the minor’s health care decisions, or the minor’s PHL. sentatives are entitled to full access to Formal Authorization
Restrictions
A covered entity must obtain the written cian suspects the personal representative illness for any use or disclosure of PHI of abusing or neglecting the person with a mental illness. Disclosure is also lim- ited when a personal representative only has authority to act on behalf of the per- mission constitutes the authorization for son in limited or specific health care de- disclosure. It must be written in specific cisions. In this situation, the personal terms and state what information is to be used or disclosed, specify the person dis- relevant to their area of authority. Also, a covered entity may refuse to share PHI specify the purpose of the disclosure and

Source: http://www.dbsasouthernnevada.org/docs/2009%20Final%20Spring%20Edition.pdf